Rich... you could try something like Opera (perhaps an older version) or K-Meleon.

Netscape... now that's old school!

Hehe, you know what they say... you can't teach an old dog new tricks LOL! The thing is, this older version of Netscape pretty much does everything that I want; built-in newsgroup reader and email client (although, I don't use the NS email client, I use PocoMail for my email stuff), as well as built-in AIM and ICQ; and with the old NPAudio plugin plays embedded MIDIs and WAVs just fine:)

It is *NEVER* off topic for me to brag about my old 486 LOL! -> http://www.cmoo.com/snor/weeds/Weeds_486DX4-100.htm . Although, currently it has hard drive issues, and I pulled the AWE32 and WaveBlaster from it the other day (to add the WaveBlaster to another PC; that I mentioned previously).

The original sample for them I recorded from one of the pipes of an actual set that I have here. I then used an old piece of software "Wind Chimes" for windows to recreate the chimes that I and my father have (the tuning of the chimes, number of pipes, center pendulum/no pendulum, etc...), and recorded the output to a MIDI. Heh... they sound just like my (and my father's) real wind chimes

Dunno if you liked the bagpipes. Bagpipes are an "aquired" taste, and lately I've been in a bagpipey sort of mood <grin>. Wish I had a real set, but they're WAY to freakin' expensive (for a decent Great Highlander set at least)... hence the next best thing; a soundfont

I had to write in to say a heartfelt thank you for sharing this general midi soundfont. It is truly amazing. I did some listening tests with...CrisisGeneralMidi3.01.sf2SGM-V2.01.sf2merlin_symphony.sf2GeneralUser GS SoftSynth v1.43.sf2ChoriumRevA.SF2WeedsGM3.sf2I also included the pianos...Equinox_Grand_Pianos.sf2qd Old Lady release 2.1.sf2maestro_concert_grand_v2.sf2TrachtmanSteinC_XFade2.sf2My conclusion is that WeedsGM3.sf2 stands out as simply the most responsive musically. Many of the others seem initially impressive in one way or another but tend not to reproduce intonations as well. Of the others I rather liked the GeneralUser piano and TrachmansteinC, also the SGM-V2 acoustic guitars impressed a little. Having said that I must reiterate that the "musicality" for want of a better word, of the WeedsGM3 overrides the sweeter notes of those other soundfonts.

Well, there you have the opinion of someone who uses midis mainly as a cheap way of exploring the world of classical and ragtime music and in particular listening to converted piano rolls. I have no musical talent of my own, or indeed technical ability of any worth so I hope my opinion counts a little.

I had to write in to say a heartfelt thank you for sharing this general midi soundfont. It is truly amazing. I did some listening tests with...CrisisGeneralMidi3.01.sf2SGM-V2.01.sf2merlin_symphony.sf2GeneralUser GS SoftSynth v1.43.sf2ChoriumRevA.SF2WeedsGM3.sf2

My conclusion is that WeedsGM3.sf2 stands out as simply the most responsive musically.

Well, there you have the opinion of someone who uses midis mainly as a cheap way of exploring the world of classical and ragtime music and in particular listening to converted piano rolls.

Thanks for the kudos, and I'm glad you liked it! Hehe, like I said in the blurb on my web site, "Made for composers and musicians, by a composer and musician..."... in other words, "realism" means "real" <grin>

BTW, there is a couple ot dead links - emu.com now redirects to creative.com.

Thanks for the heads-up

The one link pointing to "General MIDI AWE32 ROM Dump SoundFont, by E-mu Systems (1.1 megabytes)" I already knew about... I kept the original emu.com link, but found another download URL that is directly above the dead emu.com link.

The one pointing to "8MBGM E-mu Rev B SoundFont, by E-mu Systems (7.6 megabytes)" I had forgotten to correct... I'l have to dig up an alternate download link fot that one as well.

I just wanted to add my voice of thanks along with everybody else, because this soundfont simply rocks! In 20 years, I have not herad a better-sounding general soundfont. Just in case anybody else needs additional proof:

I just wanted to add my voice of thanks along with everybody else, because this soundfont simply rocks! In 20 years, I have not herad a better-sounding general soundfont.

Thanks, and glad you liked it

I used that exact SoundFont for the little bit of my own stuff that I've released on my web page throughout the past few years. Note that ALL of the links are still broken at my web site (due to my recent web server change), but here are some of my favorites that I've composed (of varying genres):